Revision as of 21:25, 11 November 2011

Contents

Get in

From Accra the most easiest and reliable means of transport to cape coast and around is to charter a 4wheel drive, a mini van or smaller cars that suits the number of people involved in the trip. Arrange this with Moses specialist tourism personal in Ghana.

STC buses pull into the Goil Petrol Station (Pedu Junction), about 5km from the town centre. Buses from and to Accra (C5. 3hrs) and Takoradi (C3, 1hr) go twice a day. There is a daily bus to and from Kumasi (C5, 4hrs).

Get around

Taxi is the best way and is very cheap by western standards. Especially shared taxis are very common in Cape Coast.

From Accra the most easiest and reliable means of transport to cape coast and around is to charter a 4wheel drive, a mini van or smaller cars that suits the number of people involved in the trip.

See

Cape Coast Castle is one of several UNESCO World Heritage slave forts along the southern coast of Ghana. A guided tour takes 45 minutes and costs 4$ for students.

Victoria Fort.

Cape Coast Centre for National Culture

The Oguaa Fetu Afahye harvest festival

Do

Hang out on the beautiful beach under the Palm trees and watch the locals pulling in fishing nets and traditional boats.

Like most historic sites in Ghana, taking pictures is allowed in the Elmina Slave Castle so long as you pay a few pesewas (about 50 cents) at the front desk. The money you spend is well worth it.

If there is a game when you're there, go see the Cape Coast Dwarfs play a soccer match in the stadium. Entrence fee is C3 and it's worth it! The level of play on the pitch may not meet European standards, but the enthousiasm of the fans surpasses those standards easily. Practically all spectators sing along in support of their team, encouraged by drums and other musical instruments. Do yourself a favor though: don't bring any valuables. There is always a risk of pickpocketing in large crowds and you will be feeling uncomfortable with a camera around your neck or your wallet showing through the bulb in your pocket. Do bring some petty cash though, as you probably will want to by some water after a while sitting in the burning sun. Also, lityle baggies with peanuts and other snacks are being sold by women (and some children...) walking up and down the stands. It can be great fun, although you could be intimidated by a hint of aggression that hangs in the air, but not like hardliners among the fans of some European or South American teams. Intrigueing fact though: In the end of the match, the referee is escorted of the field.

Buy

Ele Emma, a seamstress on Aboom Wells Road, makes high quality tailored clothes. Prices are approximately GHC20,00 (U$19,00 - Aug2008) for a shirt.

During the tour of the Elmina Slave Castle, they bring you to a bookstore within the castle filled with reasonably priced books on the castle itself, slavery, important black leaders, and even some books on Ghanaian culture (the Ghanaian cookbook is worth a look). If you need more time to browse, return to this bookstore after the tour.

Commercial Road has many great booths for small gifts-- one in particular has beautiful jewelery and beads. This, along with other stands along the road, offers better prices than the tourist stores in the Castle, and supports local economy.

Eat

The main street has many good eateries.

Cape Cafe on Commercial Road has great cheap food. With a friendly atmosphere, quick service, full bar, and a menu of both Western and Ghanaian food, it is a favorite of both tourists and locals.

Further along, just to the right of the fork in Commercial road (the crab monument), Ant's Rastafarian Health Food Store is a gem for vegetarians-- smoothies, veggie dishes, and even tofu are available there.

There is a restaurant inside the Elmina Slave Castle, but it's recommended that you eat elsewhere. The food is average, and you'll spend most of the meal swatting flies.

Walk in the alley way next to the right of Malcom. Then make your first right into the smaller alley. Then your first left past the fruit stand. And you will find a hidden local market. In here you'll find the best fou fou lady in town.

Janet's Grilled Cheese, next to Ocean View Internet (between the Crab Statue & the Castle, just next to Ocean View Internet towards the Crab). Janet's, advertising "Ghana's best Grilled Cheese," does not serve your average grilled cheese sandwich. Sandwiches are made with Laughing Cow cheese, a fried egg and chopped onions/peppers/tomatoes on fried bread. Delicious and cheap.

Assase Pa, on the road to Elmina (past the Total station towards the hospital). A wide variety of vegan soups, salads and mains for cedis each. A pleasant walk from the city center.

Drink

Excellent Outdoor Bar with traditional dancing and fire eating up the hill along the beach.

Sleep

Hostels/Guest Houses towards the beach are good quality and some have lovely roof bars also.

Brenu Beach Resort, Brenu Akyinim (Take a tro-tro from GOIL/Pedu Junction along the Accra-Takoradi road towards Takoradi. Get off at Ayensudo junction, then hire a taxi from the main road to Brenu Beach.). A well-tended private beach, better for swimming than the beaches in Cape Coast, only a 15-20 minute Tro-Tro ride away. There is a restaurant/bar on premises which offers a great variety of Ghanaian and International dishes for 5-10 Gh¢. Camping/rooms are available. 1 Gh¢ entry fee for the day. Website

Prospect Lodge, Kotokuruba (Located on top of Prospect Hill on the top end of the side-street near Cornell Internet Café on Kotokuruba Rd.). Located on acceptable walking distance from Cape Coast castle and the beach clubs, Prospect Lodge overlooks the Cape Coast from above, just of the main shopping street. Has a lovely terrace-bar-restaurant with very sweet and good service, although the restaurant service is slow in comparising to their excellent laundry service. WebsiteUS$20-40.

Get out

Tro-Tro's can be caught in front of the GOIL station (just West of Pedu Junction) along the main Accra-Takoradi Road.

Intercity STC buses can also be caught from the same GOIL station. The ticket office is on the second floor of the building just next to GOIL to the left. There are several departures to Accra and other locations daily.
Intercity STC